Drilling machine

ABSTRACT

A drilling machine comprising a tower formed of elongated members in which a drilling head assembly is slidably disposed for movement relative thereto by means of slide brackets. The brackets are slotted, and slidably receive dowels extending from the drilling head assembly to effect a loss of motion between the drilling head assembly and the brackets. Power-operated feed chains, in a manner well known, translate the slide brackets along the elongated members.

United States Patent Gyongyosi [54] DRILLING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Laszlo Gyongyosi, Clarksburg, W.

21 Appl. No.: 84,271

[ 51 Sept. 19, 1972 2,594,098 4/1952 Vanderzee ..173/l47 X 1,824,480 9/1931 Gartin ..173/l47 3,535,985 10/1970 Attebo ..l73/147 X Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorney-Frank S. Troidl, David W. Tibbott and Bernard J. Murphy [57] ABSTRACT A drilling machine comprising a. tower formed of elon- 52 us. Cl. ..173/147 gated members in which a drilling head assembly is [51] Int. Cl. ..E2lc 5/06 Slidably disposed for movement relative thereto y 5 Field of Search 173/147, 141, 152 59, 57 means of slide brackets. The brackets are slotted, and slidably receive dowels extending from the drilling 56 R f C-ted head assembly to effect a loss of motion between the 1 e "ems l drilling head assembly and the brackets. Power- UNlTED STATES PATENTS operated feed chains, in a manner well known, transl t 1' l d b 2,338,625 1/1944 Curtis ..173/147 x ate he S brackets the e gate 3,446,295 5/1969 Leven 173/147 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DRILLING MACHINE This invention pertains to drilling machines having motor means for advancing and retracting a powered drilling head assembly, and in particular to such a machine having means effecting a slidable, lost motion connection between the motor means and the drilling head assembly. I

It is already known in the prior art to provide drilling machines which effect a lost motionfunction so that a relative movement can berealized between the spindle of the drilling head assembly and the drill stem. Such relative movement is necessary so that new, additional drillrods can be positioned therebetween.

In the prior art it is common to provide a slidable chuck or spindle to effect this lost motion. When the inuse drill string has been fully fed, and the-drilling head assembly has bottomed in the tower, then one or more additional rods are introduced to the string. The upper end of the expended drill string is held against rotation, by means of a wrench or equivalent, and the rotary motor of the drilling head assembly is energized.- The motor turns the spindle and, in that the latter is slidably mounted in the drilling head assembly, the spindle also moves axially relative to the assembly and string'and is thereby unthreaded from the string. Then the drilling head assembly is elevated, and additional rod is moved into axial alignment with the string, and the spindle is lowered onto the upper end of the added rod. Again the spindle is rotated and it retraces its former axial movement to threadedly fasten to the added rod.

In that such a slidable spindle must conduct fluid therethrough, it introduces manufacturing expense and difficulties to accommodate both for the sliding motion of the spindle and a reasonable sealing of the fluid against leakage in all the slidable positionings of the spindle.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to teach an improved and simplified drilling machine which accommodates for the necessary lost motion. It is another object of this invention to teach a drilling machine structure which comprises a drilling head assembly, for imparting rotation to drilling tools, and having means coupled to the drilling head assembly for forcing the assembly to move in a plurality of directions and wherein the means for moving the assembly include means for introducing a delay in movement of the assembly from any one directional movement to any other directional movement. I

A feature of this invention comprises a drilling machine having a tower formed of elongated members in which a drilling head assembly is slidably disposed for movement relative thereto by means of slide brackets which are slotted and slidably receive dowels extending from the drilling head assembly to effect a lost motion" between the drilling head assembly and the brackets.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view partly fragmented, of a drilling machine illustrative of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG; 2 is a side elevational view, also partly fragmented, of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

As shown in the figures, the drilling machine 10 comprises a drill tower 12 supported above the ground by means of leveling jacks 14. The tower 12 has a drilling head assembly 16 therewithin which carries a drill string 18 for drilling penetration of the ground surface.

The assembly .16 includes a rotary drilling motor 20 which is supplied with operating fluid by means of fluid lines 22. Motor 20, in this embodiment, is represented to be a hydraulic fluid-operated motor. However, other rotary motor means could by used, of course.

The assembly 16 issupportedwithin the tower 12 by means of anchors or slide brackets 24 which are troughs 36 which slidablyfengage elongated frame members 38 for advancing and retracting (i.e., raising and lowering) the drilling head assembly 16. This is accomplished by actuating the fluid piston-cylinder unit 40 which is carried by tower 12. V

The unit 40 has a piston rod 42 projecting therefrom to effect movement of pulley block 34 and, as a consequence thereof to advance and retract assembly 16. When pressured fluid is admitted through fluid line 44 the drilling head assembly 16 is moved along the tower 12 toward the ground and, conversely, when pressured fluid is admitted therethrough fluid line 44' the drilling head assembly 16 is elevated in the tower 12. However, these reciprocal movements of assembly 16 are preceded by lost motion delays.

It will be noted that the anchors or slide brackets 24 have slots 46 formed therein and the slots slidably receive dowels 48 which are fixed to and project from either sides of the assembly 16. As represented in FIG. 2, the drilling head assembly 16 was last moved upwardly. This is evident in that the one dowel 48 which is visible in this view is at the termination of the slot 46. Accordingly, if unit 40 is actuated to lower the assembly 16, the assembly will not move, although the brackets 24 will, until dowels 48 have traversed the full lengths of slots 46. A lost motion is provided for in the machine therefore. To remove (or add) a drill rod from (or to) the drill string 18, it is only necessary to restrain the pertinent coupling with a wrench or equivalent, rotate the spindle by means of drill motor 40, and effect an axial movement of the assembly 16, through the lost motion travel of dowels 48 along slots 46.

While I have described my invention in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this is done only by way of example and not as limitation to the scope of my invention set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

lclaim:

l. A drilling machine, comprising:

a drilling head assembly, for'imparting rotation to drilling tools; and

means coupled to said drilling; head assembly for forcing said drilling head assembly to move in a plurality of directions;

said movement means including means for inducing a delay in movement of said drilling head assembly from any one directional movement, in said plurality of directional movements to any other directional movement of said plurality thereof; wherein said movement means comprises a fluid-powered cylinder and piston unit having an extending, reciprocal piston rod;

movement guiding anchor means for said drilling head assembly;

first coupling means for coupling said anchor means to said drilling head assembly; and

second coupling means for coupling said anchor means to said rod for imparting fluid-powered reciprocating motion of said rod to said drilling head assembly;

said first coupling means comprises means effecting a slidable connection between said anchor means and said drilling head assembly;

said anchor means comprises bracket means for effecting a slidable engagement thereof with longitudinally extending member of a drilling tower for guiding movement of said drilling head assembly along said members; and

said bracketmeans comprises a pair of slide brackets;

said drilling head assembly is disposed between said pair;

said brackets each have lateral surfaces disposed in adjacency to said drilling head assembly;

said assembly has keying means extending outwardly therefrom at opposite sides thereof; and

said brackets each have keyways formed in said surfaces; and wherein said keying means is slidably engaged with said keyways.

2. A drilling machine, according to claim 1, wherein:

said keyways comprise slots formed in said surfaces;

said keying means comprise dowels; and wherein said dowels are in penetration of said slots. 

1. A drilling machine, comprising: a drilling head assembly, for imparting rotation to drilling tools; and means coupled to said drilling head assembly for forcing said drilling head assembly to move in a plurality of directions; said movement means including means for inducing a delay in movement of said drilling head assembly from any one directional movement, in said plurality of directional movements to any other directional movement of said plurality thereof; wherein said movement means comprises a fluid-powered cylinder and piston unit having an extending, reciprocal piston rod; movement guiding anchOr means for said drilling head assembly; first coupling means for coupling said anchor means to said drilling head assembly; and second coupling means for coupling said anchor means to said rod for imparting fluid-powered reciprocating motion of said rod to said drilling head assembly; said first coupling means comprises means effecting a slidable connection between said anchor means and said drilling head assembly; said anchor means comprises bracket means for effecting a slidable engagement thereof with longitudinally extending member of a drilling tower for guiding movement of said drilling head assembly along said members; and said bracketmeans comprises a pair of slide brackets; said drilling head assembly is disposed between said pair; said brackets each have lateral surfaces disposed in adjacency to said drilling head assembly; said assembly has keying means extending outwardly therefrom at opposite sides thereof; and said brackets each have keyways formed in said surfaces; and wherein said keying means is slidably engaged with said keyways.
 2. A drilling machine, according to claim 1, wherein: said keyways comprise slots formed in said surfaces; said keying means comprise dowels; and wherein said dowels are in penetration of said slots. 